Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .40 S&W with .401 | 180gr | Rim Rock RNFP BP Lube bullet and 59 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 20, Alliant UNIQUE and Somchem MS200.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,340 psi | 87% | 994 fps | 97.2% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,254 psi | 90% | 1063 fps | 89.9% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,008 psi | 89% | 951 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,167 psi | 89% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,369 psi | 84% | 997 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,428 psi | 90% | 866 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,456 psi | 87% | 886 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,616 psi | 88% | 928 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,557 psi | 84% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,530 psi | 90% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,746 psi | 85% | 1027 fps | 99.4% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,298 psi | 90% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,266 psi | 77% | 1001 fps | 98.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,776 psi | 88% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,587 psi | 88% | 1037 fps | 99.2% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,789 psi | 85% | 1040 fps | 99.1% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,470 psi | 84% | 945 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,715 psi | 79% | 948 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,993 psi | 89% | 988 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 64% | 28,108 psi | 86% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,254 psi | 90% | 892 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,296 psi | 84% | 1027 fps | 91.2% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,527 psi | 81% | 1020 fps | 92.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 11,110 psi | 34% | 679 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,369 psi | 84% | 997 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,211 psi | 90% | 1060 fps | 89.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,238 psi | 83% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,181 psi | 86% | 1014 fps | 99.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,385 psi | 90% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,630 psi | 85% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,847 psi | 85% | 971 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,007 psi | 86% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,240 psi | 90% | 928 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,311 psi | 84% | 1024 fps | 97.5% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,007 psi | 86% | 1033 fps | 93.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 76% | 27,528 psi | 84% | 994 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,631 psi | 30% | 656 fps | 97.3% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,021 psi | 86% | 1053 fps | 99.9% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,718 psi | 88% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,222 psi | 77% | 1099 fps | 91% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,211 psi | 90% | 1060 fps | 89.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,196 psi | 89% | 1014 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,051 psi | 89% | 988 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,021 psi | 86% | 984 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,165 psi | 80% | 860 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,340 psi | 84% | 1014 fps | 92.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,660 psi | 88% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,500 psi | 87% | 1109 fps | 88.9% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,224 psi | 83% | 1017 fps | 98.1% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,412 psi | 84% | 1004 fps | 99.4% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,225 psi | 90% | 1066 fps | 94.7% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 64% | 29,443 psi | 90% | 906 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,530 psi | 90% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,030 psi | 61% | 823 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,021 psi | 83% | 1004 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,876 psi | 82% | 1001 fps | 98.9% |
| Vihtavuori N350* | <<locked>> | 96% | 27,876 psi | 85% | 1047 fps | 94.4% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,412 psi | 84% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 27,296 psi | 84% | 997 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,374 psi | 47% | 787 fps | 88.7% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 25,788 psi | 79% | 1014 fps | 87.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,260 psi | 53% | 794 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,590 psi | 42% | 761 fps | 96.3% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,406 psi | 59% | 883 fps | 99.7% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,117 psi | 62% | 758 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,043 psi | 58% | 771 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,521 psi | 54% | 784 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,086 psi | 55% | 820 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,851 psi | 42% | 771 fps | 98.5% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,912 psi | 55% | 866 fps | 95.1% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,273 psi | 50% | 791 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 10,805 psi | 33% | 705 fps | 85.7% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,694 psi | 51% | 784 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,349 psi | 62% | 912 fps | 96% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | 4.1 gr | 60% | 13,460 psi | 41% | 778 fps | 89.7% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,722 psi | 48% | 778 fps | 99.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,239 psi | 28% | 659 fps | 97.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,954 psi | 49% | 810 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 25,309 psi | 78% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,534 psi | 48% | 715 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 21,147 psi | 65% | 932 fps | 86.8% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,407 psi | 63% | 922 fps | 88.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,149 psi | 16% | 479 fps | 92.5% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,404 psi | 50% | 827 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 25,744 psi | 79% | 1010 fps | 87.7% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,205 psi | 65% | 873 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,127 psi | 46% | 807 fps | 94.4% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,111 psi | 40% | 745 fps | 95.9% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,778 psi | 39% | 774 fps | 99.4% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,374 psi | 47% | 787 fps | 99.7% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,621 psi | 51% | 797 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,434 psi | 56% | 797 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,637 psi | 57% | 886 fps | 92.5% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,958 psi | 64% | 925 fps | 89.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,650 psi | 51% | 843 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,004 psi | 15% | 476 fps | 86.6% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 4.3 gr | 60% | 11,951 psi | 37% | 755 fps | 90% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,073 psi | 62% | 866 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 92% | 19,058 psi | 58% | 997 fps | 86% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 25,744 psi | 79% | 1010 fps | 87.7% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,314 psi | 41% | 741 fps | 89.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,708 psi | 51% | 807 fps | 99.2% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,954 psi | 49% | 797 fps | 96.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,958 psi | 64% | 797 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,594 psi | 57% | 873 fps | 85.9% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,345 psi | 47% | 797 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 2* | <<locked>> | 84% | 25,817 psi | 79% | 1070 fps | 87.2% |
| Somchem MP200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,824 psi | 48% | 820 fps | 90.9% |
| Somchem MS200*² | 4.1 gr | 60% | 14,330 psi | 44% | 778 fps | 92% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 16,911 psi | 52% | 866 fps | 85.7% |
| Vihtavuori N310² | <<locked>> | 60% | 26,876 psi | 82% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,462 psi | 50% | 810 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,195 psi | 25% | 604 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,852 psi | 46% | 817 fps | 98.6% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,648 psi | 42% | 771 fps | 90.5% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 16,346 psi | 50% | 853 fps | 85.5% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,756 psi | 67% | 902 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp *² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,314 psi | 41% | 761 fps | 94.8% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 59 powders for .40 S&W loaded with the .401 | 180gr | Rim Rock RNFP BP Lube. SNPE Vectan SP 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,109 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 656 fps to 1,109 fps. Alliant Herco gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 38 of the 59 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (225 MPa), the top charges use 30–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. ReloadSwiss RS 20, Alliant UNIQUE, Somchem MS200 rank at the top here: for .40 S&W with the .401 | 180gr | Rim Rock RNFP BP Lube they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Accurate No. 5, Hodgdon HS-6, Hodgdon Longshot burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate No. 2, Accurate No. 5, Accurate Solo 1000 stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.